Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau on Wednesday hit out at the United States for advancing legislation that could close Hong Kong's trade offices in the country, saying the move was "not creating any benefit to anybody at all".

The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to pass a bill which could shut Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

"We strongly condemn the action by the House of Representatives passing the bill. There is no reason behind, it is purely political. [It] slanders the laws safeguarding national security of Hong Kong and smears the human rights [situation] without any reason at all," Yau said.

"The passing of the bill and other reports actually are not creating any benefit to anybody at all."

Washington previously also warned firms operating in Hong Kong that they are facing increasing risks.

But Yau said American investors feel safe and have confidence in doing business in the SAR.

Executive Council convenor Regina Ip, for her part, urged US President Joe Biden to refrain from signing the bill into law, warning of possible countermeasures from China.

"The act not only affects economic and trade relations, but it also represents the US government's suppression of 'One Country, Two Systems'," she said.

"There is a high chance for the Senate to pass the bill. However, I am calling on President Biden not to sign the bill [into law] before he leaves office. The US must take into consideration our country's countermeasures."

Ip, who's also the chairwoman of the New People's Party and a former security chief, said she was not surprised that the House passed the bill.

She said a number of people who have left Hong Kong had been lobbying Congress to pass the legislation, in retaliation for certain important national security trials in the SAR.

But she said she does not believe other countries and regions with Hong Kong trade offices would take similar action.

Executive Council member and Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said it would "undesirable" for the US to shut trade offices through administrative or legislative means.

But he also said such a move would not greatly affect the business community, because sanctions in the past have not stopped exchanges between the two places.

DAB legislator Nixie Lam, meanwhile, accused Washington of "politicising and weaponising" economic and trade issues, saying Hong Kong's development has only been beneficial to the US.
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Last updated: 2024-09-11 HKT 17:16